Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
He waves a hand like it’s nothing before yanking on a pair of tighty-whities. “Yup, I stopped by her place last night. I thought it was the right thing to do, you know? She took it well. I think she’s finally over it.”
My jaw clenches.
How is he this much of a turd?
“And I figured I’d talk to her about cutting the child support too,” he adds casually. “Things are tight. You wouldn’t believe the cost of a wardrobe for the show. You’d think these companies would be vying for me to wear their brands on a national TV show. It’s seriously insane.”
That comment has me seeing red as I swing toward him and cock my head, praying I heard him incorrectly. “I’m sorry… You asked her to do what?”
Zane blinks, his stupid smirk still in place. “Relax, man. She’s fine. That girl always lands on her feet. It’s what I love about her. All these people around me want to take, take, take. But not Callie. She wants to stand on her own two feet. Gotta appreciate that.”
I shove my pads into my stall with more force than necessary. “You realize that she’s barely scraping by, right?” I snap. “And you’re out here blowing six figures on a televised circus and your entourage?”
Zane straightens, the smugness falling from his expression as defensiveness flashes in his eyes. “What I spend is none of your damn business, Thompson.”
“The hell it isn’t.” I step forward, fists clenched at my sides. “You don’t show up for Nora or help Callie out at all. And now you want to take even more away from them?”
His eyes narrow. “Did Callie put you up to this?”
“No, but she damn well deserves someone who actually gives a shit about her. Both of them do.”
Knox wedges himself between us before it can turn into a full-blown brawl. “Whoa. How about we cool things down,” he says, holding me back. “This isn’t the time or place.”
“Callie and Nora are my business, not yours,” Zane adds.
Adrenaline pounds through me as I shake off my teammate. I’m not even sure why I’m bothering with this guy.
He doesn’t get it.
And it’s doubtful he ever will.
He’s too focused on himself.
“Maybe if you took care of your business, I wouldn’t have to step in and do it for you.” Instead of waiting for a response, I grab my bag and stalk out of the locker room.
If Zane won’t step up for Callie, then I will.
There’s no way I can continue to stand by and watch her struggle.
The question isn’t if I’ll help.
It’s how.
7
Callie
The scent of vanilla, butter, and cinnamon from the batch of muffins cooling on the rack fills the bakery as sunlight spills across the counters.
Lilah leans her elbows on the table as one hand drifts to her barely-there baby bump. “Steele has been driving me insane. He keeps hovering like I’m made of glass.”
Rina snorts. “And yet you sound suspiciously smug about it.”
Lilah rolls her eyes as a smile lifts the corners of her lips. “That’s not what I meant.”
Sloane sips her coffee and teases, “But it’s not not what you meant either.”
The table bursts into laughter. These small moments with women who have become more like a family to me are part of what gets me through the tough times.
I can share anything with them.
Well, almost anything.
When the door opens, and a man walks in wearing a perfectly tailored navy suit with a wool coat draped over one arm like he just stepped off the pages of GQ, the conversation at our table grinds to a halt.
Rina’s jaw drops as she mutters, “Holy hotness.”
It takes a moment for recognition to slam into me.
The first thing I did after Evelyn mentioned that Beau Masterson might be interested in featuring my desserts at his restaurants was look him up online. Apparently, I’m one of the few people in the greater Chicago area who didn’t already know who he was.
The man dabbles in everything.
He’s a restaurateur.
An investor.
And from everything I found, a well-known playboy.
For some reason, he’s considering adding my desserts to his menu.
He smiles at the group before his gaze zeros in on me. “Callie Westbrook?”
Looks like I’m not the only one who did their homework.
When I don’t immediately respond, Rina elbows my side.
Hard.
I pop to my feet like a Jack-in-the-Box, and wipe my hands nervously on my apron before closing the distance between us. “Yes. Hello. That’s me.”
His gaze burns into mine. “Would you have a few minutes to talk?”
Rina grabs Lilah’s hand. “She sure does. We were just about to leave.” She winks behind his back as they slip out the front entrance of the bakery.
My attention lands on Lilah as she walks by the glass and mouths, “Text us everything.”
Sloane jerks her thumb toward the back. “I need to take care of something in the kitchen.” Then she disappears around the counter and through the swinging door, leaving us alone. I swallow a groan and try not to fidget as he steps closer before extending his hand.